Daijiworld Media Network - Yemen

Yemen, Sep 7: Yemen's Houthi rebels on Monday claimed they had shot down a Saudi Arabia-owned Wing Loong II armed reconnaissance drone while it was conducting what they described as "hostile operations" in Al-Bayda governorate.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the drone was targeted with "appropriate weaponry" while carrying out operations in the area.

"This is the third drone shot down in the past 24 hours," Saree said in a statement posted on Telegram.

The latest claim comes amid escalating tensions between the Iran-backed Houthi group and Saudi Arabia.

The Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, accusing Riyadh of imposing a blockade on territory controlled by the group in Yemen.

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait is a strategically important waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a major route for international shipping.

The Houthis previously controlled the port city of Al-Makha, which overlooks the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The group was driven out of the city in 2017 by Yemeni government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition.

The Houthi claim could not be independently verified, and Saudi authorities have not immediately confirmed the reported drone shoot-down.

The development comes amid continuing military tensions in and around Yemen, with the Houthis maintaining their ability to conduct attacks and operate armed drones in the region.